Photos courtesy of Le Chastel Montaigu
Increasing unrest in the 11th century led the inhabitants of the area to seek higher and safer refuge on the hill of Champeix, which became known as Montaigut. All that’s left today is a tower, the ruins of a church that was once inhabited by monks, and sections of a fortress wall.
In the 14th century, two lords of Montaigut represented the epitome of medieval knighthood. The first, Guérin, became the Grand Master of the Order of Saint-Jean of Jerusalem, or the Hospitalers. His brother Pierre held a similar position twelve years later with the Knights Templars. The two brothers participated in the Fifth Crusade in Egypt. The family remained powerful for almost 300 years, until finally disappearing from the village.
The castle fell into complete ruin by the end of the 18th century, suffering the ravages of the French Revolution and providing a convenient rock quarry for the villagers.
Pamela’s Perspective
I love this type of family-run accommodation. Michel and Anita Sauvadet are slowly renovating this once-noble castle, stone by stone, with a true labor of love. When they took ownership of the castle, a roof did not even exist.
Only breakfast is served at the castle, but restaurants are nearby.
Le Chastel Montaigu
A 12th-century castle
Contact
63320 Montaigut-le-Blanc
Tel: ++33 (0) 4 73 96 28 49
Hotel website
Fast facts
4 double rooms
Double rooms: 145–150 euros
Rates include breakfast
2-night minimum
No credit cards, smoking, or pets
Open: All year, but by special reservation from November to Easter.
Getting there
Montaigut-le-Blanc is 20 km southwest of Clermont- Ferrand. Take exit 6 from the A-75 autoroute (Sainte-Nectaire). At Montaigut-le-Blance, the castle is signposted with “chambres d’hôtes au château”
What to do
Nearby: Parc Naturel Regional des Volcans d’Auvergne; le Mont Dore; hiking
Located in the heart of the Parc Naturel Regional des Volcans d’Auvergne, a splendid crenellated tower reigns over a land surrounded by volcanoes and rugged rolling hills, and dotted with medieval villages that seem scarcely inhabited.
Brought back to life by the Sauvadet family, who fell in love with the potential of the castle’s architecture years ago, the family have created a snug bed and breakfast inn with only four rooms.
Family heirlooms furnish the charming rooms. An especially nice touch is the hand-stenciling work over the walls and ceiling.
Each guest room is completely different. La Chambre Gothique sports a curtained bed, stone walls, and a private terrace. The most “medieval” room is the Chambre du Ravin, which is located in the tower and has mullioned windows that overlook the village and valley below. Guest rooms do not have TVs.
A terraced garden makes a pleasant place to sit and enjoy views of the surrounding volcanic ranges.
Something special
Classified as a historical monument in 1889
Family-run bed and breakfast